Countdown to TIFF: 2001 in Review

TIFF 2001

As the saying goes “you always remember your first time.” Having just graduated from university, with no job lined up, I decided to do what any unemployed movie lover would do...drop a bunch of money at the Toronto International Film Festival. Okay, it might not have been the most sensible move for a person as cash strapped as I was at the time. Yet I figured it was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I just could not pass up. It was a crazy move but ultimately one of the best decisions I have ever made.

As it was my first year at the festival, I leaned a little more towards the star driven films (a common rookie mistake!) As the festival went on it became clear that the smaller films were the ones that left a lasting impression.

Total Number of Films Watched: 25

My Top 5:

In the Bedroom

No Man’s Land

Monsoon Wedding

The Son’s Room
Waking Life

Honourable Mention: The Grey Zone, Atanarjuat (The Fast Runner), Vacuuming Completely Nude in Paradise

The Disappointments: The Piano Teacher, Training Day, Enigma

The Whale Riders (a.k.a. I regret passing on these films) : Y Tu Mamá También, Mulholland Drive, Amélie, The Devils Backbone, Lantana

Memorable Moment: September 11, 2001, the moment when the modern world stood still. This was my official “Hollywood Day” at the festival as I had several big budget studio films to see. When the first plane hit the tower I was in line to see John Dahl’s film Joyride. I was not aware of what was going on in the world until I made my way to the Uptown (a wonderful theatre in that is no longer around) for a noon screening of the Johnny Depp film From Hell. As I talked to more and more people in line, a large number of which were Americans, the sense of fear and uncertainty was everywhere. As reports of airports and train stations shutting down started to surface many festival goers had no idea how they were getting back home once the festival was over. Heck, we did not know if the festival was even going to continue. We were advised before the screening started that the festival would be shutting down for the remainder of the day immediately following the From Hell screening. As we sat in the theatre, one man who had a walkman was providing our row with news updates on the latest events. It was only later that night did the news channels report that the film festival would in fact resumed the following day but on a much more sombre note.

Random Star Sightings: I had purchased a festival day pass which meant my chances of seeing famous folk was slim at best. The stars only come out a night for screenings as they are being interviewed by the press all day. Regardless I still got to see the likes of Molly Parker, Atom Egoyan, Antoine Fuqua, Todd Field, Danis Tarnovic, and Tim Blake Nelson.

TADFF Review: Rubber

Rubber

If I was to tell you a week ago that the most thought provoking film at the entire Toronto After Dark Festival would be a film about a “killer tire” you would probably have laughed. Well, the festival officially wrapped on Friday and I have to say that the one of the best films I saw during the week was an extremely smart B-movie about a killer tire named Robert.

One day a rubber tire, Robert, awakens to the wonders of the world. At first Robert struggles to get, and remain, upwardly mobile. Robert soon learns that he has the ability to destroy insects and plastic bottles by simply rolling over them. As Robert becomes more self-aware he begins to blowup objects with his mind. Drunk with power Robert hits the open road destroying everything in his path.

Despite what you may hear, or even think, Rubber is nothing like you could ever imagine it to be. There are so many layers to the film that some of you will be leaving the theatre scratching your head trying to process it all. This is the type of film demands multiple viewings. The film not only breaks the “fourth wall” by repeating talking to the audience, but it also deconstructs what it is like to be a modern day movie watcher.

Similar to Funny Games, Rubber is not only a commentary on the “Hollywood machine” but the movie watchers who support it. In short, it proves that people will pay to watch anything these days…even a film about a killer tire. What makes Rubber work so well is that it delivers its commentary through a lot of humour and absurdity. The opening moments alone hilariously set the stage for what is to come. Director Quentin Dupieux has a key character give a great monologue on how all great films have major elements that happen for “no reason” at all. This line of thought is played out to delicious effect for the entire length of the film. The first time you see Rubber, you will need to go out for a drink afterwards to process everything that you witnessed. Though after you think about it some more, you will want to run back into the theatre and immediately watch it all over again. Rubber is an immensely rewarding film that is far smarter than you would expect.

Grade: A+

TADFF Review: Heartless

Heartless

From birth, Jamie Morgan (Jim Strugess) has had to cope with having a large heart-shaped birthmark on his face. Jamie’s disfigurement has left him feeling ostracized from the general population leaving him only comfortable communicating with his family. When a local street gang attacks him and his mother in their East London neighbourhood, Jamie is determined to get revenge. While the police search for the teenagers they believe are responsible, Jamie knows that his attackers were not teens but actual demons. As he seeks out these demons, Jamie’s journey leads him to a mysterious man, Papa B (Joseph Mawle), who promises to grant Jamie the one thing his heart really desires. The only catch is that Jamie must do a favour for him in return. Jamie soon finds out that one’s desires are often the most dangerous demons of all.

Heartless is a tough film to review as each person’s response to it will be different depending on how you decipher the film. Although the film had several interesting themes woven throughout, I could not help but feel rather disappointed overall. I just did not love it the way others I spoke to did. I think one of the main problems I had is that the film did not go in the direction I was hoping it would. The film starts off with a nice creepy feel to it. The whole notion of a demon gang patrolling the streets of East London was intriguing. Unfortunately the film takes so many sharp turns that the whole is not as satisfying as the parts. The minute you start to warm up to an idea, the deal with the devil angle for example, the film quickly jumps to a whole new realm. Nothing is ever truly resolved.

Director Philip Ridley has proven, with his wonderful film The Reflecting Skin, that can handle darkly off-beat material. Heartless is a psychological horror with strong elements from children’s fables such as Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Alice in Wonderland, etc. Yet the pieces never add up. Philip Ridley mashes-up so many different genre conventions that the first half of the film is rather incoherent. By time the film ends you appreciate what Ridley is attempting to achieve with the film even though he is not successful.

The one saving grace to the film is the performances by the cast; most notably the work of Jim Strugess, Timothy Spall, and Eddie Marsan. Jim Strugess is great in the lead role, he skillfully conveys Jamie’s uneasiness with the world around him. Timothy Spall is simply brilliant in his brief time on screen. I wish Ridley had a few more scenes with Spall scattered throughout the film. Since Spall is such an integral part of understanding the story more of his presence would have been a plus. Similar to Timothy Spall, Eddie Marsan is another actor who makes the most of his brief time on screen. His role as the “Weapon’s Man” provides one of the few genuinely funny moments in the film. As I mentioned before, I was disappointed in the film overall but I seemed to be in the minority. Heartless strives to be many things at all once, and yet does not fully explore any of them.

Grade: C

TADFF: Daily Picks August 20, 2010

Here are your daily picks for today's Toronto After Dark Film Festival screenings (Tickets are still available at the Bloor Cinema for Rubber):

7:00 pm – Rubber. Easily one of the most buzzed about films at the fest. Tickets are selling fast for this one.



9:45 pm - The Human Centipede. Tickets are sold out online. Rush line is the only way you can score last minute tickets.

TADFF Review: Centurion

Centurion

Set in Britain in AD 117, The Roman Empire is at war with savages known as Picts. The Picts refuse to submit to Roman rule, and plan to destroy any Roman that crosses their path. Quintus Dias (Michael Fassbender), the sole survivor of a Picts’ raid on a Roman frontier fort, finds himself leading a small group Ninth Legion soldiers. The Ninth Legion was once a fearsome band of Roman soldiers until they were ambushed by the Picts. After their general (Dominic West) was captured, and the majority of the men slaughter, Dias was entrusted with the task of leading and six remaining Ninth Legion soldiers home. Yet their quest home is riddled with danger as the Picts’ leader, Gorlacon (Ulrich Thomsen), has made it his personal mission to hunt down the remaining members of the Ninth Legion at all cost. Dias and his band of soldiers must navigate through unfamiliar terrain, and evade the Picts’ expert tracker Etain (Olga Kurylenko), in order to reach Roman soil before it is too late.

Normally a film with this much blood and carnage would hold my interest on the most basic, and primal, level. Unfortunately the relentless amount of decapitations was not enough to keep my eyelids from closing down a few times throughout Centurion. Now I am fully aware that the unusually large amount of softball that I have played in the last couple of days may have factored into my weary state. Yet Centurion, of all the films at the Toronto After Dark Film Festival, should have been the jolt of adrenaline that my body needed. Sadly, the repetitive nature of the film only added to the dullness of the overall production. The film pretty much follows the same formula throughout: The Romans talk a big game, get their asses handed to them by the Picts, then run into the woods looking for a safe place to hide. Add in some beautiful scenery and that is pretty much the film in a nutshell,

Centurion was high on my “to see list” as it stars Michael Fassbender and was directed by Neil Marshall. After his brilliant work in films such as Hunger and Fish Tank (my review to come soon), not to mention his role in Inglourious Basterds, Michel Fassbender is quickly becoming one of my favourite actors. He brings so much vigor to every role he plays. Fassbender’s talents are wasted in this film. He is not giving much to work with at all as Neil Marshall spends more time on the action scenes than he does crafting a solid plot. Although Marshall’s previous films Dog Soldiers and Doomsday were entertaining, neither really showcased his talents fully the way The Descent did. I was hoping that Centurion would be Marshall’s best film yet but it ended up being his weakest one to date. The only thing I will say in Neil Marshall’s favour is that he always incorporates strong female characters into his film. Olga Kurylenko, who you may remember from Quantum of Solace, is the real bright spot of the film. Not only is she a fearsome warrior but she is also one of the few characters who actually has an interesting back-story. Granted, her life is summarized in two or three lines but at least it is something. Most of the other characters are rather indistinguishable from each other.

Since the bloody action is always at the forefront, Marshall never provides enough character development to bring any depth to all the carnage. At the beginning the Romans are portrayed as good and the Picts are viewed as bad…but is really the case? Both sides have committed great sins against each other. As the film goes on, it becomes increasingly tough to care for either side. Centurion tries hard to follow in the footsteps of the many sword and sandal films that came before it. Yet, at the end of the day, Centurion is nothing more than a mindless action film that is fairly easy to fall asleep to.

Grade: D

TADFF: Daily Picks August 19, 2010

Here are your daily picks for today's Toronto After Dark Film Festival screenings (Tickets are still available online, or at the Bloor Cinema):

7:00 pm - Black Death (featuring Sean Bean)



9: 45 pm - I Spit on Your Grave (tickets are selling fast, may be sold out by the afternoon. Arrive to the theatre early if you want to get last minute tickets)

TADFF Review: The Last Exorcism

The Last Exorcism

During question and answer period of The Last Exorcism screening director Eli Roth, who produced the film, stated that he is drawn to films where the real discussion begins once the films ends. This perfectly encapsulates The Last Exorcism. The film may not make you jump out of your seats, but you will be thinking about The Last Exorcism long after it is over.

Cotton Marcus (Patrick Fabian) has been preaching the gospel since the age of 10. Immensely charismatic, Cotton knows all the right things to say to both his congregation and the various people he encounters on the street. Despite not believing the religious jargon he spews, Cotton continues to preach in order to take care of his wife and child. After a young boy is killed during an exorcism procedure, Cotton Marcus becomes determined to expose just how fake exorcisms really are. Cotton enlists a documentary film crew to follow him while he “performs” one last exorcism. Picking a letter at random, Cotton heads to a small town in Louisiana to conduct an exorcism on Nell Sweetzer (Ashley Bell). Nell’s father Louis (Louis Herthum) is convinced his daughter is possessed but Cotton is not so easily swayed. The deeper Cotton delves into Nell’s predicament the more dangerous things become for Cotton and his film crew. Is Nell really possessed by evil forces? Or is there a greater mystery afoot?

Similar to The Blair Witch Project, The Last Exorcism is all about the audience creating the horror in their minds. The film does not aim to shock via excessive gore or elaborate deaths. This type of film spends time creating the right atmosphere, which impacts the viewer much more than merely splashing the screen with blood. Telling the tale through the eyes of the documentary camera man is both a benefit and a disadvantage for the film’s director, Daniel Stamm. On one hand Stamm is able to create the claustrophobic and creepy atmosphere that only having viewpoint provides. Unfortunately, the fact that some of the moments are “edited” takes the audience out of the story at the wrong moments. For example, when Cotton is conducting his exorcism the film constantly jumps back and forth between scenes of the exorcism and scenes where Cotton is explaining the tricks of the trade. While the section is very amusing, the audience cannot help but question when did the documentary crew have time to splice those scenes together? Especially since the audience is led to believe that the events are being documented as they happen.

Still, despite the minor flaws, there is a lot to likeabout The Last Exorcism. The performances from both Patrick Fabian and Ashley Bell are outstanding. While Cotton is as fraudulent as the exorcisms he wants to expose, Fabian’s portrayal of Cotton is by no means a gimmick. Fabian brings a nicely layered performance that will have you laughing along with Cotton just as much as you fear for his safety. Cotton’s scenes with Nell go from sweet to chilling in a blink of an eye. Ashley Bell does a great job of making Nell both the victim and the aggressor. There is a great scene in the film where Nell is sitting on the bed all innocent looking while Cotton checks up on her. Then, just before the door closes, she delivers this slow evil grin to the camera that sends shivers down the audience’s spine. It should also be noted that there were no special effects used for Nell’s scenes. Every disturbing body contortion is 100% Bell. The Last Exorcism is a film that succeeds because it harkens back to more minimalist horror films. The type of tales where the scariest aspects are the things that the audience creates in their own mind.

Grade: A-

Stars in attendance: Producer Eli Roth and actors Patrick Fabian and Ashley Bell held a question and answer session after the screening.

TADFF: Daily Picks August 18, 2010

Here are your daily picks for today's Toronto After Dark Film Festival screenings (Tickets are still available online, or at the Bloor Cinema):


7:00 pm - Centurion




9:45 pm – Heartless

TADFF Review: High School

High School

Henry (Matt Bush) is an honour roll student who has always played by the rules. His pal Travis (Sean Marquette), on the other hand, is a stoner whose future is as cloudy as the marijuana he enhales. Travis convinces Henry to let loose and try some weed just one time. Unfortunately for the boys, they get high the night before the school principle, Gordon (Michael Chiklis), announces that he will be taken a harsh stance on drugs. On the day of the final exams, every student will have to take part in mandatory drug testing. Anyone student who fails the test will be immediately expelled. Fearing that his application to MIT is in jeopardy, Henry decides to go along with Travis’ crazy plan to get the whole school high via the PTA bake sale. If the whole school fails the drug screening than the results will be deemed inadmissible. In order to get enough drugs to affect the students and staff, Travis and Henry must steal some of the most potent marijuana on earth from a local drug dealer, the unstable Psycho Ed (Adrien Brody).

At the time of screening, High School still did not have a distributor attached. Which I find rather odd since this is a film that will appeal to both stoners and non-stoners alike. High School is a blend of Superbad mixed with Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, and sprinkled with a dash of Ferris Buellers Day Off. I understand that some people may fear that their children will get “bad ideas” from the film, but the film does not break any new ground. Director John Stalberg’s film is more of a buddy comedy than it is a pro-marijuana film. In fact, it shows the horrors of marijuana more than anything else. Henry and Travis’ plan gets increasing complicated as everything spirals out of control.

The fun in High School comes from watch Henry and Travis trying to outsmart everyone from Principle Gordon to rival straight “A” student Sebastain (Adhir Kaylan), while having Psycho Ed breathing down their necks. Matt Bush does a wonderful job as Henry, he really holds his own against the star-studded supporting cast. Both Bush and Marquette, who is like a young John Belushi, help to keep the pacing brisk and the laughs flowing. Credit must be given to the exceptional supporting cast. Michael Chiklis, who is unrecognizable in the film, is hilarious as the school principle who is determined to cleanse the school of drugs at all cost. It is Chiklis’ Gordon and Brody’s Psycho Ed who have some of the best lines in the film. The rest of the supporting players, including Colin Hanks, Yeardley Smith, Andrew Wilson, Mykelti Williamson, and Michael Vartan provide enough additional laughs that none of the characters ever feel out of place. While High School may not bring anything unique to the teen comedy genre, it offers up enough laughs that makes it well worth the trip back to school.

Grade: B

TADFF: Daily Picks August 17, 2010

Here are your daily picks for today's Toronto After Dark Film Festival screenings (Tickets are still available online or at the Bloor Cinema):

7:00 pm - Phobia 2



9:45 pm – All About Evil (starring Natasha Lyonne)

TADFF Review: RoboGeisha

RoboGeisha

Noboru Iguchi’s RoboGeshia focuses on two sisters whose feud is played out to epic proportions. Yoshie (Aya Kiguchi) has always look up to her older sister, Kikue (Hitomi Hasebe), with loving affection. The same cannot be said for Kikue, a beautiful Geisha who wishes that life had brought her a different baby sister. When a young wealthy industrialist, Hikaru Kageno (Takumi Saitô), takes an interest in Yoshie, the tension between the sisters intensifies. Neither sister knows what dangers await them in Kageno’s factory. Hikaru Kageno is quietly building an army of robot geishas to take over the world.

Rarely has sibling rivalry been taken to such over-the-top extremes. If you are looking for a gripping story with a coherent plot, let me take this opportunity to remind you that the film is called RoboGeisha! This is film is by no means a good, from a plot point of view, but you will have a great time watching it. RoboGeisha is one of those films that you need to see with a group of people, preferably with a few beers in hand. RoboGeisha has so many hilarious, and often head-scratching moments, that all you can do is sit back and watch the madness unfold. Characters will often state the obvious to situartions where no verbalization is really need. For example, a man may yell: ”I have been cut in by a hand” right after...you guessed it...being sliced by RoboGeisha’s hand.

RoboGeisha is the type of film where a person can fire off eighty rounds from a gun and still not hit their target. Everything in the film is gleefully outrages. Weapons are stored in the most unorthodox places. Chances are good you will have never seen a film that incorporates the 80’s “robot” style of dance into a fight scene. Nor will you have viewed a film where characters have an “ass sword fight.” RoboGeisha is B-movie absurdity at its finest. Again, RoboGeisha will not play well if you view it alone; this is the type of film that you really need an audience to share in the outlandishness of it all.

Grade: C+

TADFF: Daily Picks August 16, 2010

Here are your daily picks for today's Toronto After Dark Film Festival screenings (Tickets are still available online or at the Bloor Cinema for Alien vs Ninja):


7:00 pm - The Last Exorcism. The film’s producer, horror director Eli Roth, will be in attendance for the screening. Roth will apparently be holding a question and answer session.  The screening is currently sold out but a rush line (i.e. your chance to get last minute tickets) will be conducted at the theatre. You will need to arrive early in order to get into the rust line.





9:45 pm – Alien vs Ninja

TADFF Review: Cargo

Cargo

In the 23rd Century Earth is uninhabitable and the majority of civilians live in space stations. With both disease and terrorism running rampant, it seems the only safe place left to live is the planet Rhea. Laura Portmann (Anna Katharina Schwabroh), a young medic, longs to go to Rhea so that she can be reunited with her sister. In order to save up enough money to travel to Rhea, Laura takes an 8-month position on a ship that is transporting construction material to Sector 42. Laura and the rest of the ship’s small crew soon realize that they are not alone, and whatever lurks in the shadows is killing them off one by one.

Cargo is the first feature length science fiction film to be made in Switzerland. The film took eight years to make and the budget was a paltry two million dollars. The fascinating thing about Cargo is that, despite the miniscule budget, the film looks far better than a lot of big budget productions. Sure there are scenes here and there that were clearly computer generated, but the overall product is amazingly slick and stylish. While the premise of the film may sound a lot like the film Alien, Cargo is far more a kin to Duncan Jones’ Moon. The film is more of a cerebral thriller that will have you second guessing who the real heroes are in life.

Director Ivan Engler takes his time to build up the tension, by time the film kicks into high gear you have a great grasp of both the character and the world they inhabit. It was very important that Engler found actors who had enough chemistry to convey the uneasy relationship between Laura and Samuel Decker (Martin Rapold), the air marshal assigned to the ship. Schwabroh and Rapold sizzle on screen as they both gave great performances. Their interactions not only raised the romantic tension in the film, but the overall suspense as well. Similar to Portmann, you are not quite sure what Decker’s motives are in the beginning. Even when things begin to unfold you are constantly questioning who Portmann can really trust? For a film that only cost two million dollars to make, Cargo is far more intelligent and suspenseful than most of the more costly films you see in theatres today.

Grade: A-/B+

TADFF: Daily Picks August 15, 2010

Here are your daily picks for today's Toronto After Dark Film Festival screenings (Tickets are still available online or at the Bloor Cinema):



4:15 pm - Cargo







7:00 pm - Robogeisha







9:45 pm High School (featuring Adrien Brody)






Check back here in the next few days for mini reviews of each film.

TADFF Review: The Last Lovecraft: Relic of Cthulhu

The Last Lovecraft: Relic of Cthulhu

You know that you are in for a fun night when men in zombie makeup are joining the ticket holders line and the audience receives cardboard "sea monster" masks to wear on their way into the theatre. Welcome to the Toronto After Dark Film Festival folks...and it's only the first night! As I mentioned in an earlier post, the opening featured was Henry Saine's debut film The Last Lovecraft: Relic of Cthulhu.

The film is the tale of Jeff (Kyle Davis), a bored office worker whose life seems to be going nowhere fast. Upon arriving home one day Jeff discovers that he is the last living decent of the famous H.P. Lovecraft. To his astonishment, Jeff is put in charge of keeping an ancient relic out of the hands of the evil Star Spawn (Ethan Wilde). If Star Spawn succeeds in acquiring the relic, he will unleash the greatest evil the world has ever seen. In order to complete his quest , Jeff, along his comic book loving buddies Charlie (Devin McGinn) and Paul (Barak Hardley), must find the one person who may hold the key to defeating Star Spawn...the reclusive Captain Olaf (Gregg Lawrence).

Using a mix of comic book style flash animation and old-time prosthetics The Last Lovecraft: Relic of Cthulhu aims to achieve a lot on a rather small budget. Instead of trying to honour H.P. Lovecraft with a true horror film, director Henry Saine and writer Devin McGinn smartly opt for the comedic route. This allows The Last Lovecraft to tackle H.P. Lovecraft without upsetting his dedicated fan base. The film's main goal is to entertain and nothing more, and on that level it succeeds. The Last Lovecraft: Relic of Cthulhu is a fun romp that will have you laughing out loud on occasion. The film is not as consistently funny as it could have been. Partly due to the sloppiness of the script. Some scenes are left hanging, or are awkwardly insert, for no real reason at all. These moments probably would not have been as noticeable had the editing been much smoother. I understand that the cast and crew did the best they could with the funds available; but more attention to detail would have gone a long way. Also, while I enjoyed the acting work done by Devin McGinn and Barak Hardley, I was slightly disappointed with Klye Davis' performance. Davis never sold the typical loser-turned-hero character the way he should have. Kyle Davis did not show enough range in his delivery of lines and he did not sell the lines when he needed to most (i.e. the heroic moments). He let the supporting players steal the movie at every corner. I will say that the effects and the sea monsters makeup were quite good for this type of film. Especially when you consider how small the budget was for the whole production. The visuals really helped to keep the audience's attention throughout. The Last Lovecraft: Relic of Cthulhu may not be a great film but, when all is said and done, it is a fun one. I just wish that the jokes had hit the mark more often than they actually did.

Grade: C

Stars in attendance: Director Henry Saine and actors Kyle Davis, Devin McGinn, Martin Starr, and Edmund Lupinski held a question and answer session after the screening.

TADFF: Daily Picks August 14, 2010

Here are your daily picks for today's Toronto After Dark Film Festival screenings (Tickets are still available online or at the Bloor Cinema):


4:15pm - SHORTS AFTER DARK
Shorts After Dark features 10 absolutely mind-blowing new horror, sci-fi, action, and cult short films from around the world, including a number of international award winners. A major highlight is the World Premiere of legendary special effects makeup artist Greg Nicotero’s much anticipated short film the United Monster Talent Agency.


7:00 pm - Doghouse *




9:45 pm - Evil in the Time of Heroes (featuring Billy Zane!) *




* - People who show up to the screenings in Zombie costumes get in at a reduced price of $8

Toronto’s Week of Darkness Starts Tonight!

Just a friendly reminder for all those who will be in the Toronto area this week. The Toronto After Dark Film Festival officially kicks into gear tonight. The festival will run from Friday August 13th to Friday August 20th . 17 films will be featured at the festival; with the opening night film being Henry Saine’s The Last Lovecraft (see trailer below). Ticket information and showtimes are available on the festivals website.





Check back here in the next few days for my mini review of The Last Lovecraft.

Shinsedai 2010: The Dark Harbour & Jellyfish Boy

The Dark Harbour

Over the weekend I was fortunate enough to catch a film at the 2010 Shinsedai Cinema Festival. Curated by Chris MaGee, of Toronto J-Film Pow-Wow, and Jasper Sharp, of Midnight Eye, Shinsedai showcases the best of Japanese independent cinema. Shinsedai is now in its second year but this was my first at the festival. Though time constraints of the weekend hindered me from seeing more than one film, Naito Takatsugu’s The Dark Harbour, Shinsedai has definitely wet my appetite to see more of what Japanese cinema has to offer.

The Dark Harbour is a quirky blend of comedy and drama that tells the tale of a lonely fisherman, Manzo (Shinya Kote), who is desperate in desperate need of a companion. The problem is Manzo is rather clueless in regards to how exactly to get a date. Manzo spends so much time trying to look cool that he is oblivious to the opportunities that present themselves. When a local company sets up a video dating night for city women and fishermen, Manzo jumps at the chance to final fill the void in his life. Though the chance for happiness may be closer than he ever imagined. Unbeknownst to Manzo, a young woman, Mitsuko (Yuko Miyamoto), and her son, Masao (Kazuki Hirooka) are secretly living inside Manzo’s closet.

While the premise may sound odd on paper, The Dark Harbour is one of those films that will ultimately have you leaving the theatre smiling. Even in the more downbeat moments there is a charm that never lets you go. A large part of the films appeal is the work of the three leads. Kote is wonderful as Manzo, although we are only with him for a short time you feel like you have known him forever. You cannot help but want him to obtain that happiness he so desperately craves. Both Miyamoto and Hirooka complement Kote’s performance nicely. They really help to sell the whole makeshift family aspect of the film.

If there is one aspect the film could have improved on is the overall pacing of the script. There are times when the film veers off the central Manzo/Mitsuko arc in order to have random comedic moments featuring some of the other fisherman in town. While amusing, the scenes do very little to further the overall plot of the film. Speaking of plot, The Dark Harbour would have also been better served with a little more focus on the character of Mitsuko. Naito Takatsugu establishes early on that Mitsuko has had trouble with men in the past though it is never elaborated on. Although the arrival of “the sufer” in the restaurant triggers a passion with Mitsuko; Takatsugu never clarifies what is it exactly about “the sufer” that causes Mitsuko to make the choices she makes? Even Masao does not seem to comprehend Mitsuko’s choice of action in the last act.

Despite the fact that Mitsuko may not be a character as fully realized as Manzo is, Takatsugu’s The Dark Harbour still manages to succeed on many levels. The film proves that, in a roundabout way, life’s true reward is having someone to share it with.

B


Jellyfish Boy

Prior to the to the screening of The Dark Harbour the audience was treated to a short by director Shoh Kataoka entitled Jellyfish Boy. The short examines the friendship between Kotaro (Ren Yasuda) and his best friend, who he calls Jellyfish Boy (Daiki Gunji). Over the course of the day we see the two boys play and discuss heavy issues such as independence and marriage. Although the subjects of discussion may be deeper than one would expect from children of such a young age, the childlike innocence in regards to how they see the world is always present. Jellyfish Boy is a heart-warming film that will have the viewer longing for the return of their own childlike innocence.

B+

Patty Griffin, Avett Brothers, YES!

Going to see Patty Griffin, The Avett Brothers and half a dozen more bands at The Appel Farm Arts Festival. I cannot tell you how excited I am! I haven't been to a show in over a year or so!

I have been a Patty Griffin fan ever since I heard "Long Ride Home" in Elizabethtown. Like any good song, I began searching for more songs by Patty and discovered an amazing singer and performer. I have sang her rendition of "Let Him Fly" before and I cannot wait to hear it live. "It Don't Come Easy", has made me cry more times than I can count when I lived far from home. You can say her music has traveled with me wherever I have gone.

My sister turned me on to The Avett Brothers recently. They have a simple, clean, soulful sound and beautiful harmony. I still can't get their songs out of my head after months. VERY EXCITED for their show.

There is something special about going to a festival. I think it is due to the fact that everyone is there to just sit back, relax in the sun and enjoy a good show. No preconceived notions. Also, a country festival brings a well-rounded bunch, with some fun characters!

Hope you have a great Saturday!

Updated List of Big Thoughts From a Small Mind's Reviews.

Please note a more updated film review list can now be found in the "Film Review" tab at top of the page

2011 Movie Report Card (click on titles for full review)

Exceptional (Grade Range A+ to A-)
Beauty Day A+
Rubber A+
13 Assassins +A
Wiebo's War A-

Good (Grade Range B+ to B-)
I Saw the Devil B+
Super B+
The High Cost of Living B+
Machete Maidens Unleashed B
The Pirate Tapes B
Hobo With a Shotgun B
Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives B
The First Grader B
The Black Power Mixtape: 1967 - 1975
The Trip B
Mighty Jerome B
Boy Cheerleaders B-
Trust B-

Passed the time (Grade Range C+ to C-)
The Hangover 2 C
Scream 4 C
Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen C
A Screaming Man C
The Chocolate Farmer C
The Lumberfros C
St. Henri, the 26th of August C-

Please make it stop (Grade Range D+ to F)
Viva Riva D
The Adjustment Bureau D
The Mechanic F
Vanishing on 7th Street F
Sucker Punch F

2010 Movie Report Card (click on titles for full review)

Blue Valentine A+
Winter's Bone A+
Inception A+
Micmacs A+
The Art of the Steal A+
Toy Story 3 A+
The Illusionist A+
Dogtooth A+
The Mountain Thief A
The Social Network A
Black Swan A
Dogtooth A
Never Let Me Go A
Ajami A
127 Hours A
The Fighter A
Scott Pilgrim vs the World A
The Kids Are All Right A
The American A
Exit Through the Gift Shop A
Mr. Nobody A-
The Last Exorcism A -
Fish Tank A-
The Messenger A-
Enter the Void B+
True Grit B+
Shutter Island B+
Cargo B+
One Big Hapa Family B+
Home B+
Dear Doctor B+
Year of the Carnivore B
Animal Kingdom B
The Kings Speech B
The Ghost Writer B
Youth in Revolt B
This Movie Is Broken B
Predators B
Machete B
The Town B
Gallants B
Waiting for Superman B
Toilet B
Kick-Ass B
The Book of Eli B
High School B
Despicable Me B
TRON:Legacy C+
Life During Wartime C+
Daybreakers C+
The Joneses C+
RoboGeisha C+
The Expendables C
Chloe C
The Losers C
Hot Tub Time Machine C
Alice in Wonderland C
Heartless C
The Last Lovecraft C
The Karate Kid C
Oxhide II C-
Iron Man 2 C -
Salt C-
Red D+
Faster D+
Edge of Darkness D+
Holy Rollers D
Brooklyn's Finest D
The Lovely Bones D
Centurion D
From Paris with Love D
Splice D
She's Out of My League D
Unthinkable F
Piranha F
Cop Out F

2009 Movie Reviews (click on titles for full review)

Hunger A+
Inglourious Basterds A
Up in the Air A
A Single Man A
Polytechnique A
Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire A
More Than A Game A
A Serious Man A
Gomorrah A
District 9 A
(500) Days of Summer A
Coraline A
Adventureland A –
Where the Wild Things Are A-
I Love You, Man A-
Tyson A-
Treeless Mountain A-
New York, I Love You A-
Black Dynamite B+
The Hurt Locker B+
PontyPool B+
Star Trek B+
Zombieland B+
Fifty Dead Men Walking B
Avatar B
An Education B
The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans B
Cloud 9 (Wolke 9) B
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus B
Taking of Pehlam 123 B
Sin Nombre B
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince B
The Brothers Bloom B
Taken B
The Hangover B
Watchmen B
Two Lovers B
Whip It B
Moon B
The Road B
Good Hair B
Sunshine Cleaning B-
Up B-
The International B -
The Princess and the Frog C+
Broken Embraces C+
Che C+
Paranormal Activity C+
Gigantic C
Bronson C
The Men Who Stare At Goats C
Duplicity C
Monsters vs Aliens C
Friday the 13th C
Obsessed C
Public Enemies C
The Informant! C
The Other Man C
Bruno C
9 C
The Proposal C
Antichrist C
Knowing C
Killer View C
Crazy Heart C
Surrogates C-
Sherlock Holmes C-
Orphan C-
Outlander C-
Angels and Demons C-
Fast and Furious C-
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra C-
Ninja Assassin D+
A Christmas Carol D+
The Box D+
He's Just Not That Into You D+
Ponyo D
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen D
The Blind Side D
Transporter 3 D
Observe and Report D
Drag Me To Hell D-
The Limits of Control D-
12 Rounds F
Paul Blart Mall Cop F
X-Men Origins: Wolverine F
Push F
My Bloody Valentine 3D F
Bride Wars F


2008 Movie Reviews (click on titles for full review)

Wall-E A+
The Visitor A+
The Dark Knight A+
Iron Man A
Doubt A
Milk A
I've Loved You So Long (Il y a longtemps que je t'aime) A
Rachel Getting Married A
Tropic Thunder A-
Kung-Fu Panda A-
Forgetting Sarah Marshall B+
Young People Fucking B
The Incredible Hulk B
The Good The Bad The Weird B
Happy Go Lucky B
In Bruges B
Funny Games B
Pinapple Express B
La Vie En Rose B
Hellboy II: The Golden Army B-
Rambo B-
Gran Torino B -
Blindness B-
Quantum of Solace C
The Secret Life of Bees C
Mongol C-
Sex and the City C-
Hancock C
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull C -
Speed Racer D+
Mr. Brooks D
Wanted D
Jumper D
Fool's Gold F
Saw V F
Death Race F
The Happening F
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian F



2007 Movie Reviews (click on titles for full review)

Zodiac A+
No Country for Old Men A+
Little Children A+
Children of Men A+
Michael Clayton A
The Darjeeling Limited A-
Black Snake Moan B+
I Am Legend B+
Vers Le Sud B
Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End B
Blood Diamond B-
Flags of our Fathers B-
Dreamgirls C
The Good Sheperd C-
Hairspray C
Beowulf D
Primeval F
Smoking Aces F


2006 Movie Reviews (click on titles for full review)

Apocalypto A-
Sherrybaby B
The Pursuit of Happiness C


New Classics?

Millon Dollar Baby A
Everyone Says I Love You A
Battle Royale B+


Vintage Flicks

Yojimbo A+
Strangers on a Train A+
M A+
A Married Couple A
Lenny A-
Roman Holiday B+
The Philadelphia Story B
Dial M for Murder B-
Sanjuro C
The Terror F

Retro Picks

Following B+
Extremities B
The Elephant Man C-
Hudson Hawk C-


Short Films

Jellyfish Boy B+
On the Flip Side B


Film Festivals (click on titles for full review)

Toronto After Dark Film Festival
TADFF Reviews
TADFF Daily Picks

TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival)
2010 TIFF Reviews
Countdown to TIFF 2010
2009 Recap Part 1
2009 Recap Part 2
2009 RecapPart 3
2008 Recap Part 1
2008 Recap Part 2
2008 Recap Part 3
2008 Recap Part 4

Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival
2010 Daily Picks
2010 Film Reviews

Shinsedai Cinema Festival
2010 - The Dark Harbour & Jellyfish Boy


Yearly Top Ten
Best Films of 2010
Best Films of 2009
Best Films of 2008
Best Films of 2007
Top Ten Films of the Decade: 2000-2009
Worst Films of 2009

Extras

Commentaries
Adventures in Podcasting
Press Releases
Top 10 / Top 5/ Random Lists
Which is Better?
The Must See List
Movie Marketing Monday
Sharing the Blogging Love
Film Pitches
Blog-a-thons
Whatever Happened To...?